Escapee tortoises taken to Guernsey animal shelter during heat

A number of stray tortoises have been handed into an animal shelter after they escaped during hot weather.

Guernsey Society for the Prevention of Animal Cruelty (GSPCA) said four of the reptiles were in its care on Thursday after being found within 24 hours. Two have since been collected by their owners.

Manager Steve Byrne said he expected more to be found while temperatures soar. He said the charity helped between 20 to 30 lost and escaped tortoises each year “particularly during very warm and sunny weather”.

“Tortoises are surprisingly good climbers and escape artists, and the warmer weather often encourages them to become more active and travel further than owners might expect,” he said.